volunteering to rebook early
Nov 25, 2009, 2:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, ex-UA 1P
Posts: 228
volunteering to rebook early
I travel LGA-ATL as part of the Turkey Day mass migrations and see inventory nearly sold out via expertflyer. Plans have changed and it would be easier for me to fly EWR-ATL or even PHL-ATL, which have better availability.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Nov 25, 2009, 4:56 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL DM, 2MM
Posts: 732
I travel LGA-ATL as part of the Turkey Day mass migrations and see inventory nearly sold out via expertflyer. Plans have changed and it would be easier for me to fly EWR-ATL or even PHL-ATL, which have better availability.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Nov 25, 2009, 8:29 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
Only once in my travels have I had a phone agent do something similar. Our flight out of Philly was over sold and with weather was doubtful it would get out on time if at all. At the time we were three hours from the flight and still in NJ (had not even started towards the airport). Rather than flying out of a different airport we asked about flying the next morning. They put us on the next flight and even gave us immediate upgrades (both elites). We figured it was a win-win for everyone.
As such, I would call and ask - all they can do is say no.
As such, I would call and ask - all they can do is say no.
Nov 25, 2009, 9:12 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DEN now - ATL and ILM in my heart
Programs: Not enough to count anymore
Posts: 451
I have had this happen 1 time in my travels. 3 weeks out I was confirmed on a flight that already was zeroed out and I knew I would be doing a SDC for an earlier flight. I called and asked for customer care and explained how i would be willing to switch to the earlier flight since that was my goal anyways. Customer care made the change for free so they could resell those seats on the later flight.
Nov 25, 2009, 9:41 am
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: DL ♦M MM|HH♦|Marr Slvr|CO UA AA US|Pri Cub Plat|SPG|Avis 1st|Htz 5*
Posts: 5,044
I travel LGA-ATL as part of the Turkey Day mass migrations and see inventory nearly sold out via expertflyer. Plans have changed and it would be easier for me to fly EWR-ATL or even PHL-ATL, which have better availability.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Given that my flight is likely overbooked, would Delta be able to respond if I offered to switch before going to the airport? The cost to change flights is $400+ and I wondered if anyone had experience w this type of request.
Nov 25, 2009, 11:31 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Overbooking doesn't happen by accident. It is a planned strategy. Just like you, there will be others who might need/want to change their itins. DL will take the change fees and fare differences all the way up until near departure time. THEN and only then will they start looking at changing pax for free. They want the flight to be overbooked to insure no seat goes out unoccupied. If they switch you now for free then they have defeated their own plan.